They were English Unitarians, associated with dissenting Protestant congregations, influential in 19th century England, that affirmed the oneness of God and that rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. Potter's family on both sides were from the Manchester area. Potter at fifteen years with her springer spaniel, Spot Potter's books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages with her stories being retold in songs, films, ballet, and animations, and her life is depicted in two films and a television series. She is credited with preserving much of the land that now constitutes the Lake District National Park.
Potter died of pneumonia and heart disease on 22 December 1943 at her home in Near Sawrey at the age of 77, leaving almost all her property to the National Trust. She continued to write and illustrate, and to design spin-off merchandise based on her children's books for British publisher Warne until the duties of land management and her diminishing eyesight made it difficult to continue. Potter was also a prize-winning breeder of Herdwick sheep and a prosperous farmer keenly interested in land preservation. In 1913, at the age of 47, she married William Heelis, a respected local solicitor from Hawkshead. Over the following decades, she purchased additional farms to preserve the unique hill country landscape. With the proceeds from the books and a legacy from an aunt, Potter bought Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey in 1905 this is a village in the Lake District in the historic county of Lancashire. Potter wrote thirty books, the best known being her twenty-three children's tales. Following this, Potter began writing and illustrating children's books full-time. In her thirties, Potter self-published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter's study and watercolours of fungi led to her being widely respected in the field of mycology. She had numerous pets and spent holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developing a love of landscape, flora and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit.īorn into an upper-middle-class household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. Helen Beatrix Potter ( / ˈ b iː ə t r ɪ k s/, 28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist.